Description: When the Jazz moved to Utah from New Orleans nearly 20 years ago, nobody could have foreseen the franchise's development from backwater patsy to championship contender. In their first season, the Jazz went 24-58. But with some shrewd draft choices -- including Karl Malone from Louisiana Tech and John Stockton from Gonzaga -- and the smarts of the organization's top men, the Jazz transformed themselves into a top-notch NBA organization.

After making it to the Western Conference Finals three times in the previous five years, in 1997 the Jazz finally reached the NBA Finals. Although they lost in six games to the Chicago Bulls -- led by Michael Jordan -- the Jazz garnered invaluable experience. Yet the specter of age, hangs over this team like a cloud; Malone and Stockton are nearly through their middle thirties, and a sense of urgency surrounded their efforts this past season. Coupled with the challenge of facing younger teams -- chiefly the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Shaquille O'Neal and teenage phenom Kobe Bryant -- the Jazz knew they would have their hands full just making the Finals, much less going all the way.

In To The Brink, Michael Lewis covers the ins and outs of the 1997-1998 Jazz season and takes readers to the brink of glory. Complete with photographs and profiles of the players as well as the management, this is a fascinating look at how they won the fight -- but, ultimately, lost the battle

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